TV Review: Tyler Perry Critics Complain About Madea and His Plots
But Miss the Contributions Perry Brings to Black America
Yes, it is indeed true that Perry does incorporate a lot of the same issues in his plays, like Madea Goes to Jail, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Meet the Browns, Madea's Class Reunion, and Madea's Family Reunion. Issues like molestation, rape, domestic violence, gun violence, and relationships within the black community are commonly targeted in his writing. But, I don't see anything wrong with him covering these topics. I would rather watch a Tyler Perry movie concentrating on improving important issues in the black community than watch the idiotic, popular films out today like "Soul Plane" and reruns of "The Parkers." Is there something wrong with a man trying to take on the issues that Hollywood is scared to bring to the public through the African American experience? When Hollywood did not believe that Perry's films would be successful because black people were stereotyped as not going to see plays and musicals, Perry proved them wrong. "Color Purple" apparently wasn't enough evidence.
Critics of Tyler Perry point to him dressing like a woman in many of his movies. Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, and Martin Lawrence did the same thing and people rarely question their sexuality. It was comedy, so why can't Perry have comedy relief in his plays as well? I enjoy Madea films because even when the topic gets to be preachy and intense, I can count on Madea to lighten the mood. Critics say that he shouldn't have to dress as a woman to be funny. A character is a character, and in the acting world, people are repeatedly dressing or acting as someone unlike themselves to delve into that character's lifestyle. To me, Tyler Perry dressing as a woman is no different than Halle Berry dressing and acting like a crackhead in "Jungle Fever." It's a movie and he plays his part. And let's face it. Nobody could make his character as Madea more personal than him, considering he got the idea from his own mother and aunts. He took on the part of this grandmother from his own experiences and made a hysterical, honest, and strong character unlike any grandmother on Black sitcoms, plays, and movies today. How many of you know a grandmother that will pull out her .45 and scramble eggs without batting an eye?
For a show like "The Game" to let that one line run caught me offguard, because even the plot of that week's episode wasn't unique. The scenario was a woman caught her man cheating with another woman. Oh, no shock value there. We've heard (and lived) that story a million times. Tyler Perry, on the other hand, takes common issues and spins them by putting in the taboo topics that nobody wants to talk about within his films. In his latest movie, "Daddy's Little Girls," Perry is not even in the movie nor is Madea seen anywhere in there. This film showed a father actually taking the time to take care of his children and fighting a deadbeat mother. Moviegoers very rarely see that, especially not about the Black community when it is stereotyped that fathers do not take care of their children. Black men especially should have appreciated this film more than any other.
People have gone to see Tyler Perry films and finally opened up about secrets within their own families. For a film to touch someone on a high enough level that they would take the time to help their personal lives shows it has power. To Tyler Perry I say "Thank you for telling the truth in the most creative way possible."
Published by Shamontiel
Shamontiel is the author of "Round Trip" and "Change for a Twenty," and in mid-October became the Chicago Tribune's Digital News Editor. She works on National Travel, Health and occasionally Breaking News, a... View profile
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21 Comments
Post a CommentI'm a white guy, and I must say that I really appreciated this article. I've seen most of Tyler Perry's movies, and every one of them has impressed me. It blows my mind how critics generally rate his films poorly when they have good acting, good plots, etc. I'm not even tired of him using the same old plot lines. That's partly because I married a black woman that was going through some bad situations herself, and I feel the pain she went through when I watch his films. They touch my heart in so many ways. Keep the movies coming Tyler Perry, because this is one white boy that will keep watching them!
And although I don't think I answered this in my ChicagoNow.com blog, yes, I do agree that we have other stories to tell, and he has recycled his plots just one too many times. This is why I liked "Daddy's Little Girls" so much and why movies you don't usually see come from Hollywood like "Higher Learning" and "Love Jones" are my favorite films. "Their Eyes Were Watching God" was another one I enjoyed. I like to see us have films with something besides what Hollywood thinks we go through.
Dr. Dre, I agree with you, but keep in mind that I wrote this article two years ago. Please see this link of my review of "Tyler Perry's 'I Can Do Bad All By Myself'": http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/message-from-montie/2009/09/taraji-henson-shines-in-tyler-perrys-i-can-do-bad-all-by-myself-madea-needs-to-go.html
I just watched "I can do bad all by myself" and I have to admit that I am getting tired of the same dramatic stuff over and over again. I am a fan of TP and applaude him for what he has done. But don't we have other stories to tell? He is a genius and I would like to see how that play's out in other expressions of the African American life. I left this movie feeling depressed.
I AGREE 100% WITH SHAMONTIEL! YOUR ARTICLE IN RIGHT ON TARGET! TELL THE HATERS TO STEP OFF!
I met this white guy who was saying that Tyler Perry started in plays because some white guy introduced him to the business. In all that I have heard, that was the first time I heard that. I find that some people can't see a black man do good without trying to take away from his accomplishments.
Like I said, HATERS STEP BACK!
EXCELLENT JOB TYLER PERRY! EXCELLENT JOB!
I know for a fact that Tyler Perry is not talking issues that happen only in "the black people's experience." Molestation and selling yourself short in intimate liaisons, be they male or female, is the experience of all Americans who are living in society and trying to make it. Healing of those deep wounds cannot happen to those hurt through simply keeping a happy face pasted on and pretending it didn't happen. TP brings a sense of hope and worth to those impacted by the devastating effects of physical abuse. I do not go to his movies because I want to see a foreign land or someone else enjoy a vacation I could never hope to have, I go to TP movies because it makes me laugh, shake my head, get mad, get even (without having to go to trial), and finally finding the all elusive hope of a future that simply can't be found in a normal day of continuing the grind of daily living.
TP brings hope of wholeness to a broken life, heart, and soul. He seems to do that by altering the lense and
I meant to add there are other issues in life then women issues. that's what I'm trying to say. I can understand watching a situation where a woman's a victim but ever movie though... Come on, Tyler. Let's see something else.
Dallascorpio, it's nice to know that there are a few people who aren't entertained by mindnumbing nonsense. Also his work is stereotypical garbage. I can't wait to see him put out something that's a little outside of the box. He caters to women in a bad way. It's like he insults our intelligence because he's usually putting out something that a woman can related too. I'm a little tired of it myself.
I love everything that you are doing Mr. Perry. No matter if it is laughing or a meaning to each one of your movies or plays, I really enjoy all of it! But have you ever considered to do a tv series for the younger croud? My kids also love to watch your plays and sing alond to them. Don't get me wrong but Hanna Montana and High School Musical is not really a show for little kids that are not quite as forunate.
I have to admit that for a long time, I wasn't a fan of his movies but after rededicating my life to God and giving his movies a second glance, I am very impressed by his work. God gave him this talent and it's remarkable to see him using it in such a positive way.